5 Popular HVAC Upgrades

There are lots of upgrades available for your HVAC system that can save energy and lower utility bills in your Macon, Georgia, home. Many of these upgrades can also improve your indoor air quality and help the environment. Some are expensive at first, but they can eventually pay for themselves through utility savings. Among the most popular HVAC upgrades are packaged systems, ductless systems, programmable thermostats, dehumidifiers, and energy recovery ventilators.

A Packaged HVAC System

All the parts in a packaged HVAC system come in one casing, and the factory assembles them for guaranteed quality. You can choose a rooftop unit, window units, or wall-mounted units. Packaged HVAC systems are also easier to install, more efficient, and less expensive than conventional systems. They make great supplemental HVAC units for new additions, which can be much more economical choice than replacing your existing system. Packaged systems with heat pumps that use gas or electricity are available.

If you have more than one packaged unit, you can implement zoning. Special thermostats control each unit independently, so you never have to condition an empty room or zone. Family members can also make just one area warmer or cooler for comfort.

A Ductless System

Ductless mini-split systems have an outdoor unit and one or more indoor air-handling unit attached by a conduit. The conduit can fit through a small hole in the wall, and it has a power cable, suction tubing, a refrigerant line, and a condensate drain. Without ductwork, your system will use less energy, maintenance will be easier, and conditioning your home won’t make as much noise. You’ll also have more closet and attic space.

Like packaged HVAC systems, ductless systems work well with renovations, and you can add zoning as long as you have more than one indoor unit. The systems use remote controls, and you can even manage some systems from your smartphone.

A Programmable Thermostat

You can use a programmable thermostat to save energy by making your home warmer in summer and cooler in winter when you’re at work, asleep, or on vacation. You will be able to program your thermostat to restore a comfortable temperature in time for your return home, or when you wake up, so you won’t have to spend any time feeling too hot or too cold.

You can control many programmable thermostats from your smartphone or tablet. Use a programmable thermostat with a ductless or packaged system to set temperature zones easily.

A Dehumidifier

The humid summer air makes you feel hot and sweaty. It also encourages mold growth, bacteria, pests, and wood rot. These problems can cause illnesses and an unpleasant, musty smell. With a dehumidifier, you can stay comfortable while saving energy by keeping your thermostat at a higher temperature. Some units also have air filters. A professional can attach a whole-home dehumidifier directly to your ductwork. You can also use a less expensive portable dehumidifier for areas like basements that tend to have moisture problems.

Ventilation Systems

Mold, pollen, pet dander, dust, dirt, and other contaminants make asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems worse. An energy recovery ventilator can remove stale air and bring fresh air into your home, reducing your home’s concentration of pollutants. It has a heat exchanger that can transfer energy from outgoing stale air to incoming fresh air, similar to a heat pump, and it attaches to your ductwork. This is more efficient than using your HVAC system to heat or cool the fresh air.

You should also have exhaust fans in your bathroom, in your kitchen, and attached to your clothes dryer to remove moisture and contaminants. Make sure your fans vent outside and not to your attic or basement.

Pruett Air Conditioning is a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer with over 35 years of experience. We offer a 100-percent money-back guarantee, and we can help you with all your HVAC needs, including installation, maintenance, and repair. Call us anytime at 478-225-4921 for the Warner Robins branch and 478-298-4115 for the Eastman branch.